The Kids Wellness Podcast

The Kids Wellness Podcast is your hub for creating happier, healthier lives for children. Hosted by Giselle Shardlow M.Ed., founder of Kids Yoga Stories, this podcast features inspiring guests from all areas of children’s health and wellness. Whether you’re an educator, pediatric therapist, yoga instructor, counselor, parent, or anyone working with kids, each episode offers practical tools, engaging stories, and expert insights to help children thrive emotionally and physically. Join us as we explore easy-to-implement wellness practices to create calm spaces, foster resilience, and support young minds and bodies.

#042 Mindful Monday - Seize the Beauty 07/28/2025

#041 How to Incorporate Literacy in Children’s Yoga Classes with Melissa Taylor 07/27/2025

#040 Yoga for Autism and Special Needs with Shawnee Thornton Hardy 07/20/2025

#039 Essential Tips for Teaching Baby Yoga with Shari Vilchez-Blatt 07/13/2025

#038 Mindful Monday - Ground Yourself 07/07/2025

#037 Raising Resilient Kids: Trust, Risk, and Free-Range Parenting with Lenore Skenazy 07/06/2025

#037 Raising Resilient Kids: Trust, Risk, and Free-Range Parenting with Lenore Skenazy Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free-Range Kids movement and president of Let Grow, as they discuss how Lenore’s parenting choices many years ago sparked a national conversation that’s lasted more than fifteen years. In this interview, she breaks down what it means to trust children’s independence, why fear is so prevalent, and how schools and communities can encourage kids to grow. Some highlights: -The story behind letting her nine-year-old son ride the New York subway alone and the media firestorm that followed. -How trust, rationality, and firsthand reporting shaped Lenore’s parenting approach. -The cultural differences between America and other countries when it comes to raising resilient, independent kids. -Why unstructured, mixed-age free play is a critical component of child development—and how schools can safely make it happen. -Practical steps for parents and educators to break the cycle of constant supervision and encourage agency in children. Find Lenore Skenazy here: Facebook: Facebook Group: RAISING INDEPENDENT KIDS: Instagram: 🧘🏽‍♂️🧘‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: Website: Shop: /episode/index/show/1677e610-3bb0-4265-85d2-f484dfd4f6b3/id/36848780

#036 How to Teach Tween and Teen Yoga Classes with Claire Louise Smith 06/29/2025

#035 Mindful Monday - Meant to be Meditation 06/23/2025

#034 Raising Happy, Healthy Kids: The Microbiome, Vagus Nerve, & Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Elisa Song 06/22/2025

#034 Raising Happy, Healthy Kids: The Microbiome, Vagus Nerve, & Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Elisa Song Discover the keys to raising happy, healthy kids along with Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Dr. Elisa Song, a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert. Learn practical tips and science-backed strategies for optimizing your child’s microbiome and overall wellness. Some highlights: -The difference between integrative, functional, and conventional pediatrics, and how each approach supports children's health. -What the microbiome is, why it matters for kids’ physical and mental health, and how it affects the gut-brain connection. -The biggest disruptors of a healthy microbiome—like antibiotics, stress, and ultra-processed foods—and what you can do about them. -Simple, actionable steps to improve your child’s gut health, including label reading, the “three Fs” (fiber, phytonutrients, and fermented foods), and mindful supplementation. -Special tips for supporting neurodiverse children, reducing sugar cravings, and empowering kids to own their health choices. Where to find Dr. Elisa Song: Book: Website: Instagram: (@healthykids_happykids) Facebook: 🧘🏽‍♂️🧘‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: Website: Shop: /episode/index/show/1677e610-3bb0-4265-85d2-f484dfd4f6b3/id/36770465

#033 How to Apply for a School Yoga Grant with Leslie Wolfe 06/15/2025

#032 Building Confidence and Connection: Essential Tips for New Teachers with Alisha 06/08/2025

#032 Building Confidence and Connection: Essential Tips for New Teachers with Alisha Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Alisha from Rainbow Sky Creations as they talk about how starting out as a new kids yoga teacher can be overwhelming and share invaluable tips and strategies for new teachers. Some highlights: -The importance of keeping lesson plans simple and effective. -How to build strong connections with students by using their names and engaging them as they enter. -Structuring a five-part lesson plan for consistency. -Strategies for managing classroom chaos and staying calm. -Embracing discomfort and unpredictability as essential parts of teaching. About Alisha: Alisha is a seasoned educator and co-host of the teacher podcast Rainbow Skies for New Teachers. With 13 years of classroom experience under her belt, Alisha is also one of the visionaries behind Rainbow Sky Creations, a platform dedicated to empowering and supporting teachers at the start of their careers. Through her passion for education, Alisha strives to offer practical strategies and invaluable insights, making the journey into teaching smoother and more fulfilling for educators everywhere. Find Alisha and Ashleigh here: Website: Instagram: Facebook: 🧘🏽‍♂️🧘‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: Website: Shop: /episode/index/show/1677e610-3bb0-4265-85d2-f484dfd4f6b3/id/36747440

#031 Simple Mindfulness Tools for Everyday School and Family Life with Sally Arnold 06/01/2025

#030 Mindful Monday - Kindness Meditation 05/26/2025

#029 Teaching Mindfulness That Sticks: Creative and Culturally Relevant Approaches with Dr. Chris Willard 05/25/2025

#028 How to Engage Children in your Kids Yoga Class with Laura McEgan 04/20/2025

#027 How to Integrate Yoga and Mindfulness into Summer Camps with Emily Fleming 05/11/2025

#026 Mindful Monday - Ordinary Moments Meditation 05/05/2025

#025 The Importance of Teacher Self-Regulation with Allison Morgan 05/04/2025

#024 Overcoming Teacher Burnout: Boundaries and Positive Mindset with Grace Stevens 04/27/2025

#023 Heartful of Peace: Music, Movement, Mindfulness Resource for Educators with Abby Wills 04/20/2025

#022 Mindful Monday - Embrace Uncertainty 04/14/2025

#021 What the Research Says About Mindfulness for Educators with Susan Dryer Leon 04/13/2025

#020 Why Mindfulness Teachers Are Essential in Schools with Liz Frink 04/06/2025

#019 Building Bridges: Effective Communication Between Parents and Teachers with Kelsey Sorensen 03/31/2025

#018 Mindful Monday - Calm Meditation 03/24/2025

#017 Coping Skills for Kids: Practical Tips from School Counselor with Janine Halloran 03/23/2025

#016 Meet Kid Conservationist: Kids Yoga Video Creator & Children's Author with Jack Dalton 03/16/2025

#015 How Mindfulness Helps Children Navigate Attention and Distraction with Lindsay Miller 03/09/2025

#015 How Mindfulness Helps Children Navigate Attention and Distraction with Lindsay Miller Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Lindsay Miller from The Stress Nanny (a kids mindfulness coach and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast) as they talk about the significance of mindfulness in helping both adults and children to boost their attention skills. Some highlights: -Attention and Distraction in Kids: Discover the link between increased screen time, post-pandemic behaviors, and how it's impacting children's attention spans. -Mindfulness Techniques for Kids: Lindsay breaks down easy, practical methods to teach mindfulness to children, helping them stay present and focused. -Montessori Approach: Learn how respect for concentration and uninterrupted focus can make a difference in children's learning and attention. -Creative Mindfulness Exercises: From sensation-emotion pillows to nature collages, get inspired with fun ways to engage kids in mindfulness practices. -Understanding Emotions with Brain Science: Lindsay shares fascinating insights about the "upstairs brain" and "downstairs brain" to help kids manage their reactions and stress. Find Lindsay here: Website: Instagram: Facebook: 🧘🏽‍♂️🧘‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: Website: Shop: /episode/index/show/1677e610-3bb0-4265-85d2-f484dfd4f6b3/id/35399715

#014 Mindful Monday - Set Intention Meditation 03/03/2025

#013 How to Create Inclusive Environments for Black Kids with SonJoria Sydnor 03/02/2025

The Kids Wellness Podcast

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